Always Never the Same (CD - 1999)

Personnel: George Strait (vocals); Steve Gibson, Brent Mason (acoustic & electric guitars); Randy Scruggs (acoustic guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (fiddle); Steve Nathan (piano, Wurlitzer piano); Glenn Worf (bass); Eddie Bayers (drums); Curtis Young, Liana Manis (background vocals); Nashville String Machine.

Recorded at Ocean Way and Sound Stage Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.

All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.

Personnel: Steve Gibson, Brent Mason (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Randy Scruggs (acoustic guitar); Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (fiddle); Nashville String Machine (strings); Steve Nathan (piano, Wurlitzer organ); Eddie Bayers (drums); Curtis Young, Liana Manis (background vocals).

Recording information: Ocean Way Studios; Sound Stage Studios, Nashville, TN.

Photographer: Mark Tucker .

Unknown Contributor Role: Chuck Ainlay.

Arranger: Bergen White.

Folks like to describe George Strait as "dependable"--buy his CD and you know you'll get a collection of high-quality country songs, all delivered in his inimitable style. But Strait has titled his 24th album ALWAYS NEVER THE SAME to underline the fact that his records aren't as predictable as they may seem. As the album proves, it's what Strait does within the confines of each release that makes the difference. As usual, he's turned to his favorite songwriters (Dean Dillon, Jeff Stevens, Jim Lauderdale, etc.) for material, but the songs capture a wide range of emotions, and his performance changes with each one.

The title track is an upbeat tune that recalls the Mavericks, while songs like "What Do You Say To That" and "One of You" are simple statements of devotion--one serious, one humorous. Strait gets downright sexy on "That's Where I Wanna Take Our Love" and positively heartbroken on "4 Minus 3 Equals Zero," a standout song about a man who can't grasp the fact that his family is being torn in two. On "That's the Truth," Strait's vocals are so choked with emotion that he sounds like he can barely get the words out. With ALWAYS NEVER THE SAME, Strait has done it again, but it's the way in which he does it that continues to surprise. minimize